"I feel like the looser you are, the better chances you have to win. The more tight, you might not make the shots. You may be worried about your shots," Payne said.
Joel Embiid keeps choking in Sixers elimination games. Can he turn that around in Game 6 against the Knicks? The unusual start time is because both of Thursday’s playoff games are in the Eastern time zone, beginning with a 6:30 p.m. tipoff in Indianapolis between the Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks.said Wednesday that he “absolutely ” the late tip, a subtle reference to an NBA Finals games in Toronto that started at that time when he was coaching the Raptors to their 2019 championship. Yet veteran guard Cameron Payne said following shootaround that this is the first time he can remember playing so late.
His play in Tuesday’s 112-106 Game 5 overtime victory is a major reason why the Sixers extended the series and have a chance to do so again on Thursday night. Batum is averaging 4.4 points and 5.6 rebounds in 28.4 minutes while providing solid defense. “He’s gonna try and make the right plays. He’s gonna try and make the right defensive plays. Good, bad, or ugly. Next possession, he’s back there doing the right thing again.”Though the Sixers’ must-win Game 6 is tonight, the aftermath of Tyrese Maxey’s miracle, season-saving shots at The Garden still lingered Thursday morning.